The producers of familiar feel-good holiday movies shot in picturesque suburbs are incorporating Libertyville into their portfolio for the first time and the locals couldn’t be happier
several stores along Milwaukee Avenue were decorated for the holidays for “Exes of Christmas Past,” a film about an ambitious hotel manager who returns to her family’s B&B for Christmas to find all three of her former high school boyfriends staying there
Sidewalk and interior scenes were shot at various locations
and Firkin Alley became a Christmas tree lot
Some shopkeepers made cameos and community members were used as extras in the independent production written by Jake Jarvi and Eliza Toser
and some of the script was written at Cook Park Library
who last week approved the first commercial filming event in town anyone can recall
“There’s an excitement about town from residents and businesses alike,” said Heather Rowe
“We’re thrilled they chose to incorporate many businesses into the filming and that they’ll appear by name.”
“Exes of Christmas Past” is the latest installment in a successful formula for filmmakers and co-producers John Bosher
They have been business partners since 2005
They collaborated with Jarvi and Toser on “Haunt Season,” a horror movie released by Dread last October
but they have ramped up the rom-com output in recent years
The friendly offerings always have an audience but have become particularly soothing during divisive and chaotic times
“Christmas on the Ranch,” shot in Long Grove
1 on Hulu as the third in a trilogy following “Christmas With Felicity” and “Reporting for Christmas.”
Everybody knows it and likes it,” Bosher said Monday as shooting continued along Milwaukee Avenue in the village’s traditional downtown
JC Licht Benjamin Moor Paint & Decor and About Time Bookstore are among the familiar names that may pop up in the 86-minute movie
who works at Edie Boutique & Marigold Gift Shop
The nonspeaking role had her come out of the store
set up a sign on the sidewalk about wreath decorating and exchange a look with an extra before the pair headed inside
“It’s so cool to get our little town of Libertyville on the map and recognized,” she said
After photography wraps Wednesday in Libertyville
the rest of the shoot will be at the Cherry Tree Inn B&B in Woodstock
where Bill Murray’s character in “Groundhog Day” stayed
The plan is to release “Exes of Christmas Past” on a network or streaming platform for the holidays
executive director of MainStreet Libertyville
a nonprofit that works to preserve the character and promote the downtown
helped connect producers with business owners and find space for the cast and crew
“We’re hopeful the movie will not only entertain but also encourage more visitors and interest in downtown Libertyville during the holiday season when the movie premieres,” she said
IL — A movie crew will be filming in downtown Libertyville through Wednesday
The crew will be filming various scenes in the downtown area and will be in businesses and the public-right-of-way
Some parking spaces will be "impacted" on Milwaukee Avenue
Parking spaces that will not be available during this time will be marked as "no parking."
Also some public sidewalks will have rolling closures in front of 500 to 532 N
The village has numerous parking options throughout the downtown and residents are encouraged to check out the public parking map here to help find an open space
You may also notice holiday decorations being placed in front of certain businesses and within the public right-of- way
"We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time and look forward to seeing our businesses and beautiful downtown featured in a holiday film later this year," village officials said
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Downtown Libertyville listed on National Register of Historic Places
A national designation is being heralded in Libertyville as another means to protect and enhance the historic character of the downtown area
Village officials recently were notified by the National Park Service that the downtown historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
There are several individual buildings in the downtown area on the National Register but this is the first designated district
The designation provides an incentive to maintain and preserve historic structures
Securing it has been a goal since the village’s historic preservation commission was established in 2012
“We feel it’s a very big deal for the community and it’s been a long-term effort,” said Heather Rowe
“We did it as a way to enhance and preserve and give opportunity to our downtown.”
For more on this story, please visit DailyHerald.com.
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Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Employees were evacuated after a lamination machine caught on fire and filled a manufacturing building with a large amount of smoke in Libertyville
The Libertyville Fire Department responded around 10:15 a.m
Libertyville Fire Chief Michael Pakosta said fire crews arrived and met with maintenance who reported a fire inside the building
The incident was upgraded to bring the Mundelein
Countryside and Grayslake fire departments to the scene
Fire crews entered and found a large amount of smoke in the building
which is a mixed-use occupant consisting of offices and manufacturing space
Firefighters found that a laminator machine was on fire
The fire was contained to the machine and extinguished
The laminator had malfunctioned and overheated
The building was full of smoke and fire crews spent an extensive amount of time working to ventilate the smoke
No injuries were reported and the employees had evacuated very quickly prior to the fire department arriving
Firefighters remained at the scene for a couple of hours
which Pakosta said was a labor-intensive fire due to the amount of work it took to evacuate the smoke
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100 students from 10 local high schools and the Lake County Tech Campus were welcomed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for a “day in the life” at Lake County’s sole Level 1 Trauma Center
students rotated through various stations to learn about a day in the life at the trauma center
Each student team was led by a team specializing in trauma patient care
while station leaders demonstrated their roles and shared insights into their career paths in healthcare
students participated in a realistic emergency department trauma scenario and practiced intraosseous IV insertion on a high-fidelity “manikin,” officials said
“Trauma Day provides students with a unique
hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in healthcare,” said Sharon Esterquest
“It’s exciting to see their curiosity and enthusiasm grow as they experience firsthand the critical work that happens at a hospital
We hope they leave with a deeper understanding of healthcare and a newfound passion to pursue a career in this rewarding field.”
Among the attendees was Carmel Catholic High School Senior Norah Belmonte
she has always aspired to work in the medical field
while her experience as an athlete sparked an interest in sports medicine
She plans to study kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
“I appreciate how Trauma Day gives high school students like me a firsthand look at potential career paths,” Belmonte said
“With medical school being highly competitive
starting early and exploring different specialties is really valuable.”
Stevenson High School senior Jaden Mascarenhas said he wants to pursue a career in healthcare after helping care for his grandfather
“Taking care of my grandpa showed me how I could make an impact in his life
and it gave me confidence to work toward my goal of entering the medical field,” Mascarenhas said
“I hadn’t had any previous job shadow opportunities in healthcare
so attending Trauma Day allowed me to explore the diverse professions within trauma
Mascarenhas looks forward to studying psychology at Loyola University Chicago and is interested in pursuing a career in psychiatry
In addition to the assistance from Condell
participating teams for Trauma Day included the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists
the Emergency Medical Services – Libertyville
The annual event traditionally features students from Carmel Catholic
along with four different high schools in the Lake County Tech Campus program
The race for Libertyville mayor Tuesday was neck and neck most of the evening before Donna Johnson pulled far enough away to make the outcome inevitable to her opponent Trustee Matthew Hickey
Hickey conceded on social media congratulating Johnson on her campaign and strong finish saying that even with ballots outstanding the gap couldn’t be closed
The final unofficial totals showed Johnson with 2,482 votes to 2,151 for Hickey making it the closest mayoral race in more than 25 years
It was only the third contested race since and other two were lopsided victories by former Mayor Terry Weppler over incumbent and then former Mayor Jeff Harger making Tuesday's result memorable in its own right
who was elected to the village board in 2007 and served for nine years before that on the plan commission/zoning board of appeals
a one-term trustee who opted to try for the top spot will be off the board
He challenged the status quo of village government
citing the need for more collaborative solutions on issues
Both found an audience but ran different campaigns
Johnson made strategic appearances at events while Hickey emphasized a ground game
knocking on doors in every neighborhood and hosting more than a dozen coffees
very grateful for the support of the community and their trust in me to serve another four years,” Johnson said Wednesday
She said her strategy differed from Hickey’s because she was charged with running the village at the same time and that was the priority
Hickey said Johnson’s campaign lacked specifics on a variety of issues
“He implied that a lot was broken” in the village
She said key issues will include getting a new police station built
evaluating village facilities and determining how best to deal with a loss of $800,000 when the state grocery tax expires and other potential unfunded state mandates or revenue cuts in light of a projected $3.2 billion state budget deficit
We just don’t know what those are,” she said
Johnson plans to schedule town halls and other measures to educate the public on the pros and cons of becoming a home-rule community
Libertyville is limited in terms of enacting taxes and fees
“My goal is to present more information to the public,” she said
Hickey told supporters the results were incredibly strong and that the campaign won’t end with election night
but also plan to continue to encourage more openness and transparency
better communication and commitment to community-driven planning
“I don’t think anyone should walk away from this race thinking it was unsuccessful,” he said Wednesday
2025 at 8:25 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Election Day is Tuesday
IL — Five candidates are vying for three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board this spring
Incumbents Katherine "Casey" Rooney and Matthew Krummick will be challenged by newcomers Patrick Scheibler
Current trustee Matthew Hickey is running in the village's mayoral race this year
Voters will head to the polls on April 1 to make their picks in this year's local election
The five candidates hoping to secure one of three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board this spring election sounded off on various issues leading up to this spring election
a pharmaceutical sales director whose sister
said the village's most serious issue is continuing to maintain a "balance of thoughtful growth and neighborhood integrity."
and it’s a point of pride that so many people who also grew up in Libertyville are able to make this their home and raise their own families here
It’s rewarding to see that the generation that came before mine is also able to retire here
both for financial reasons and from a housing option perspective," he said
He said there is a concern "that unchecked housing growth and density will adversely affect the character of the community." The village
should be proactive to ensure that growth is "managed thoughtfully."
"This includes implementing policies that promote sustainable development and maintaining the unique character of the neighborhoods
Engaging with the community to gather input and feedback on development plans is crucial," Scheibler said
the board should consider creating incentives for developers to build diverse housing options."
Rooney, who has been a village board trustee since 2023, said the village must monitor issues that arise that could impact the village's budget as all "municipalities in Illinois continue to face uncertainty when it comes to any funds received from the state," according to her candidate profile on the Daily Herald
"Strategically planning our spending and maintaining flexibility in planned infrastructure projects becomes increasingly important to ensure that the village can adapt to an ever-changing economic environment," Rooney said in the questionnaire
Balancing future growth possibilities is also important while working to preserve "elements that make our town special," she said
who has worked in human resources for 30 years
said the top issue she's hearing that is a problem for Libertyville residents is the lack of effective engagement with village officials and residents
She said some have told her they've reached out to the current mayor and trustees and received no response at all
She said others have said there's been too many roadblocks for others who try and fix issues
and they've given up on trying to communicate with village officials
"As trustee I will improve engagement with residents by holding ourselves and village administrators accountable for thoroughly responding to every resident issue," Macdonald said
I will find ways to make collaboration with the Village more efficient
particularly by proactively listening to what residents need and acting in their (and the village’s) best interests."
in his candidate profile posted on the Daily Herald
said the number one issue for the village right now is "financially related."
"While our village has been an excellent steward of tax dollars
as represented by our low municipal tax level compared to other municipalities across the Chicago area
each year Springfield wrecks havoc with our expenses," said Krummick
who has served on the Libertyville Village Board since 2021
"This comes in the form numerous unfounded mandates that the General Assembly passes each year
These regulations imposed on our municipality and others create burdens that must be paid for directly by the municipality without a corroborating offset from the state."
a small business owner and a commissioner on the Economic Development Commission
said he is looking to "give back to the community" where he has been a lifelong resident and that "has shaped hi life," according to his website
Hermann said he has a "vision for thoughtful development" and is "dedicated to ensuring that Libertyville continues to thrive and remains the capital of Lake County."
The newest coffee shop in Libertyville offers hard-to-describe but distinct
bold flavors infused with cardamom and other spices
Some customers of Queen Yemeni Coffee say the unique taste is unlike anything they have had before
partner/manager of the new shop in a prime downtown location at 606 N
“Our taste is absolutely different,” said Monasar
After several months of construction to convert the former Oh Olive
A grand opening is planned for Valentine's Day
— one of the longer-running businesses in the commercial area — expanded and moved a few blocks south
they love coffee,” Monasar said of why the village was selected as Queen Yemeni’s first location
a self-described coffee and tea drinker who lives near downtown
became a fan after trying different desserts and drinks
“I was pleasantly surprised with its rich taste of cardamom and unique blend of spices,” she said
“It reminded me of my childhood days where my mom made the best tea ever.”
Parrish said she has become hooked on Yemeni tea and starts her morning at her new favorite coffee shop
Queen Yemeni coffees, lattes and teas are crafted to deliver a memorable experience, according to its website
“We are trying to bring that type of culture,” Monasar said
Coffee houses are an intrinsic part of Yemeni culture and deeply ingrained as centers of social interaction
an informational panel explains that Yemen and coffee have a long history together and references the Queen of Sheba
a figure mentioned in Jewish and Islamic traditions
Ancient Sheba included parts of Yemen and Ethiopia
where coffee is believed to have originated centuries ago
coffee was used as an aid to concentration during prayers by Sufi monasteries in Yemen during the 15th century
Monasar said the queen “used to drink her coffee in a special way
There are three other retail coffee roaster-style shops/cafés in or near the downtown area
as well as several traditional coffee shops in town
“We are pleased to have so many unique choices for coffee
as each shop offers something different that will appeal to a variety of customers,” said Jennifer Johnson
executive director or MainStreet Libertyville
the nonprofit organization that works to preserve the character and promote the downtown area
Johnson said it’s fun to try them all and the organization appreciates “third spaces” like coffee shops that encourage people to gather and spend time downtown
These third spaces apart from home or work allow for community interaction
help build community and are vital to downtowns
10 people were injured – four seriously – following a five-car accident in Huntley Saturday afternoon
Acting Battalion Chief for the Huntley Fire Protection District
said crews were called to the reported motor vehicle accident at Route 47 and Foster Road at about 4:30 p.m
crews found a multi-vehicle accident involving five vehicles ranging in damage from heavy to moderate
Penkava said two of the vehicles were involved in a head-on collision
and two people were trapped in one of those vehicles
Firefighters were able to access the patients without extrication
and paramedics on scene provided initial care
Four patients involved in the accident were transported via ambulances to different area hospitals
One patient initially taken to a nearby hospital was flown via Life-Net helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville due to their injuries
Six patients were released by paramedics at the scene
The Huntley Fire Protection District brought in additional resources via a mutual aid box from Woodstock
Multiple police agencies also assisted at the scene
and the accident is under investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department
2025 at 12:02 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Patch.com graphic )LIBERTYVILLE
IL — There are five candidates vying for three open trustee seats on the Libertyville Village Board this spring
The local spring election will be held on April 1. More information on voting and registering to vote can be found here
Patch.com will be publishing candidate questionnaires leading up to the election for candidates who respond to our questions
Below is the candidate questionnaire for Kara MacDonald
a candidate for the Libertyville Village Board:
Campaign Website: www.KaraMacVillageTrustee.com
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government
This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for: No
Please include years of experience: Human Resources for 30 years
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: none
As I’ve spoken with Libertyville residents I’ve heard that the biggest issue for them is a lack of effective engagement with the residents
I’ve heard from some that they’ve reached out to the Village (Trustee and/or Mayor) to have no response at all
I’ve heard from others that when they’ve had an issue too many roadblocks were put in front of them to resolve the issue and they’ve given up
As Trustee I will improve engagement with residents by holding ourselves and Village Administrators accountable for thoroughly responding to every resident issue
particularly by proactively listening to what residents need and acting in their (and the Village’s) best interests
I am not content with the status quo and feel that the Village should serve ALL residents
I’d love to see greater transparency and engagement with the community
This can be done by more efficiently leveraging technology
and by simply being available to listen and act in support of Village residents
There is a lack of collaboration and respect on the Board
I’ve observed some instances where there’s been conflict
When trying to understand root cause of this conflict I’ve observed only finger pointing and name calling
In my career and in other Board environments
I have been a problem solver by getting to the root cause of an issue and working with those involved (sometimes having a difficult but respectful conversation) to address the matter and make sure there is not a repeat of the same issue
I’d like to see this discipline applied on the Village Board
I’ve also found instances where a Village Trustee has openly disrespected the Mayor using profanity in a public Board meeting
This behavior is unacceptable and I’d expect it to be addressed - not tolerated
Most of my campaign platform is addressed below
I think the Village has been failing to listen and engage residents
particularly new residents who have moved to the Village in the past 10 years
There are incredible opportunities to engage and support ALL Libertyville residents - not just those
who have make it their home for the majority of their lives
I have served a 7,000 person organization from entry level employee to senior executive and have a reputation as a problem solver
When I retired from my job at Alight Solutions
a day was declared to honor my legacy - Kara Macdonald Day
that means my problem solving and service to the organization has been a success
I’ve also served as Board President for Habitat for Humanity Lake County
I led Habitat for Humanity Lake County through significant transformation
HFH Lake County has merged with McHenry County - making our Northeastern Illinois affiliate among the largest in the Country paving the way to significantly increase our positive impact in the community
These accomplishments have given me the experience and skillset to serve Libertyville as a Trustee
I will show up - meeting or event - I will be there.I will act based on facts and data - not emotions
I will always be respectful - even when (especially when) I disagree.I will keep things in perspective.I will do my very best - always
My term will be a success when there is greater engagement from all of the community
I’ve heard from residents that they’d like to hear more from their local government - about what decisions are being made
what opportunities they have to be involved
and how they can engage with the community
An increase in engagement would mean more than just one person (me) in attendance at Board and other Village meetings
there are volunteer engagement opportunities
and anyone is welcome to serve the community - not just those who are hand selected
Libertyville is in a strong financial position and that must be protected
With that strong position I think Libertyville can avoid burdening residents with unreasonable taxes and fees
That includes the proposed 1% grocery tax to begin on 1/1/26
I oppose this grocery tax in light of the increase all residents will see on their sewer/water bills and property tax bills given the 3.4% increase to the tax levy
these increases are all small amounts but residents deserve for the Village to take the full picture of cost increases into account and do the hard work to protect them from added costs
We have the luxury of living in a safe community which can’t be taken for granted
I will fully support our police and fire departments to maintain our safe community
We do have a problem with pedestrian safety in downtown Libertyville
In recent weeks there were two incidents where pedestrians were struck by vehicles
Rather than arguing about who is to blame I’d like to see the Village identify creative solutions to make sure everyone is safe when visiting Libertyville’s downtown
I’d do this by working with the local businesses to emphasize pedestrian safety
adding a flashing beacon crosswalk by the train station
and establishing a ride-share pickup/drop off location in the downtown area
I’d like to see Libertyville pick up the pen and design what commercial and residential development is desired in the Village - with input from residents
it seems that commercial and residential development is happening TO the Village and not WITH the Village
I believe Libertyville is ripe for a boutique hotel in/near the downtown area
I’d like to see Libertyville invite that sort of development into the community rather than waiting for it to come to us
Several years ago there was a comprehensive plan for Libertyville developed
I’d like to see that come back to the front (and perhaps updated) so the wishes of residents are carried out
I’d like to see a more proactive approach to development
This would require collaboration with developers and residents up front and not after there has already been a large investment in planning
I’d like Libertyville to design what would be most desired for the Archdiocese property on Butterfield Road and
invite that sort of development instead of reacting to what comes along
but I live by the notion of “To Whom Much is Given
I come to the Village Trustee experience ready to serve
My campaign is all about making Libertyville work more effectively for residents
I’m running to make change in the spirit of improvement which is what Libertyville residents deserve
The campaign slogans of the two candidates running for mayor in Libertyville summarize what they’re offering voters with the incumbent running on experience and the challenger calling for more community engagement
For incumbent Mayor Donna Johnson
who has been on the village board 18 years and is seeking a second 4-year term
Challenger Matthew Hickey
contends more community engagement and communication is needed in local government
Johnson cited her experience in professional
including as an active member of the proclaimer ministry at St
Joseph’s Catholic Church and nearly half-century family history in Libertyville
“I’ve learned over the years a great deal about how this community operates,” she said
“I think I've grown in my experience of leadership and knowledge and I think I've taken these skills forward to help improve the community.”
Johnson headed the village’s plan commission/zoning board of appeals for nine years before being elected trustee in 2007
Former Mayor Terry Weppler recruited her for the post when he retired after 12 years in 2021 and she ran unopposed
She is the second woman and first person of color to serve as mayor in Libertyville
Johnson said she wants to finish projects and programs she started and this will be her last term if reelected
He is a longtime community volunteer and stay-at-home parent with 26 years experience in urban planning
community development and commercial real estate finance
Hickey says he has worked throughout the Midwest to create housing
revitalize community spaces and support local businesses
“I'm running because I think Libertyville needs leadership that’s more transparent
is more collaborative and is solutions oriented,” he said
Hickey said he seeks to build a “truly responsive” government that gives residents a voice in shaping the future
Hickey suggests recording and streaming all commission meetings so residents can see how decisions are made and become more informed and involved
Johnson said improving online public access to meetings
documents and information is a common goal
transparency requires a need to balance what’s conveyed to the public with legal mandates
Both agree fiscal responsibility and managing development while maintaining the village’s small-town atmosphere and charm are important considerations
Johnson said she is receptive to meet with developers and others with an interest in the village and listens to what business owners and residents want in the community so the message is consistent
Hickey says instead of making case-by-case exceptions
consistent policies that support responsible
Below is the candidate questionnaire for Patrick Scheibler
a candidate for the Libertyville Village Board:
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/patri...
This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for:
is Township Supervisor which is a different government entity but thought it would be good to be transparent
Bachelors Degree from Illinois State University
Please include years of experience: Pharmaceutical Sales Director 35 years
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N/A
The most pressing issues facing our (board
and this is what I intend to do about them:
The most serious issue is maintaining a balance of thoughtful growth and neighborhood integrity
both for financial reasons and from a housing option perspective
The concern is that unchecked housing growth and density will adversely affect the character of the community
the village should be proactive to ensure that growth is managed thoughtfully
This includes implementing policies that promote sustainable development and maintaining the unique character of the neighborhoods
Engaging with the community to gather input and feedback on development plans is crucial
the board should consider creating incentives for developers to build diverse housing options
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post
The critical differences between me and other candidates seeking this post lie in my extensive experience and unique approach to leadership
and persuading and influencing others toward specific objectives and a shared vision
This journey has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of team dynamics
I have been trained on and have trained others in various leadership styles
I have found the most value in the Situational Leadership and Servant Leader models
These models have equipped me with the ability to understand that everyone requires a unique leadership approach if I am to lead them effectively
This adaptability and commitment to personalized leadership sets me apart from the other candidates
in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
The most obvious failing of the current board is the failure to move the Liberty Theatre project forward
Not only does this anchor point of the north side of downtown remain vacant and a blight on the community
but it has become a political tug of war among members of the Village Board
During a key Theatre vote of the board this past year
political gamesmanship was employed for reasons that did nothing to move the matter forward and has no place in small town government in my opinion
The other deficit in this Liberty Theatre matter is the inability of anyone to make a meaningful connection with the property owner
My career has been focused on connecting with challenging and elusive individuals
working with them to identify common ground and ultimately achieving mutually beneficial agreements and commitments
I’m very confident I can do this with the Liberty Theatre property owner and will take this project very seriously since the Theatre holds a very special place in my heart having grown up right down the street from this wonderful Libertyville icon
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
Having grown up and spent nearly my whole life in town
I have a strong interest in supporting thoughtful growth while maintaining the small-town character that makes Libertyville such an amazing place to live and raise families of every variety
This involves being ever mindful about what the “right” thing is to do on every issue
This is not to say that new ideas from those that have only recently come to the village aren’t worthy of consideration
but it’s critical that we continue to balance new ideas with what’s in the best interest of the legacy of this community
One very specific platform issue that I’m passionate about involves public safety
There’s been a significant increase in vehicle red light running and routine violations of vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
but I would like to see signage on main thoroughfares indicating that Libertyville is a safe driving community and takes red light running very seriously
The village also needs to monitor crosswalks more closely with dedicated police and safety officers so that we’re known as a pedestrian-friendly village
Another very important issue to me that will offer an immediate visual and environmental impact is the eradication of the invasive species “Buckthorn” which has overrun our public spaces
The state has designated it for removal and the process can be a rewarding
Hundreds of residents have committed their support to the process which I have offered to lead in a public/private partnership with the village
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job
I can handle this job because I’ve been consistently very successful in my career which has involved leading teams of colleagues and customers in positions of authority as well as when I had no authority over them
especially considering that the world of leadership has moved well beyond the “I say and you do” mentality
Leadership today is about sharing a common vision and working together to achieve that vision
I’ve overcome considerable challenges due to my perseverance and drive to demonstrate a strong work and commitment ethic to my children
My most significant challenge was the seven surgeries and ultimate amputation of my lower left leg
I recognized then as I do now that I had abundant blessings in my life and still sought to give back to those that are less fortunate
Two months after my amputation I trained to “run” the Libertyville 5K Twilight Shuffle on crutches to raise awareness and funds for “Crutches for Kids”
This organization collects and ships previously used crutches sitting in basements and garages of American households to war-torn countries where children are often critically injured and permanently disabled
These crutches can dramatically change the lives of these children and make them contributing members of their communities
I finished the race in about 45 minutes and raised many thousands of dollars for the organization and shipped about 1,000 pairs of crutches that were collected in the process
I continue to give back in other events such as hemophilia distance bike rides when I’m able
The voters of Libertyville should trust me because I’ve spent a lifetime in this community earning the trust and love of my friends and neighbors
I lean heavily on the well-known saying that
“past achievements dictate future performance”
My commitment to being a trustworthy neighbor
friend and member of this community is paramount to what I’m all about especially considering that I was raised by a beloved member of the Libertyville Police Department
He instilled values in each of his five children (3 of whom still make Libertyville their home) that were centered on honesty
service and a commitment upholding the law…not only because it’s the law
but because it’s the right thing to do for your community
what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success
I would be very pleased at the end of my first term if the Liberty Theatre project was complete and thriving once again as an important and beautiful landmark of business excellence to both the property owner and the entire downtown district
This will likely require a dramatically different approach with the owner and identify mutually beneficial goals with an urgency to move forward in a collaborative manner with the property owner as well as the business and residence neighbors in the area
I would also be very happy if Libertyville became a model in the area for what great pedestrian and vehicular safety looked like
This could have far-reaching implications as Libertyville drivers leave our humble town and demonstrate safe practices outside the village limits
A final success would be a functioning and organized collaborative program of invasive buckthorn removal that is driven primarily by village residents and supported by the Parks department
In four years we could reclaim acres and acres of difficult to access green spaces and return them to the native environment they were meant to be
government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking
My first comment is that it’s inappropriate for government entities to refer to taxpayer dollars as “revenue”
refers to the money that’s acquired when goods or services are transacted
Taxes are the people’s money that has been entrusted to a government entity to satisfy the needs of the constituency in the most appropriate manner
Government officials should ALWAYS feel pressure to get the very most out of every penny under their purview and should NEVER adopt a “use it or lose it” mindset where “the budget needs to be exhausted."
We are expected to exercise outstanding financial stewardship of the people’s money and return or carry forward unspent funds in a given fiscal year
taxpayer dollars must first be allocated for government salaries and the highest priority projects that sustain or improve the village infrastructure
It’s also important to dedicate funds that supports community connectedness
In whatever manner the taxpayer dollars are spent
regular constituency feedback and active constituent participation in the process is critical to ensure that village funds are spent appropriately and in line with the needs and desires of the community
I also believe that the village should engage in shared investment opportunities with local businesses where planned development expects to increase business revenue which will ultimately increase tax dollars to the community
What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community
and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town
The violent crime rate in Libertyville remains very low and is comparable to higher net worth communities such as Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and better than other nearby communities
Credit should be given first to the outstanding police department and police officers that protect and defend our community so effectively and admirably
Libertyville is definitely a community where neighbors watch out for each other
we felt so safe that we rarely locked our doors and
only did so when we went away for multiple days at a time
the sense of community safety remains very high and the risk of any crime is low
This doesn’t mean that village residents should relax their vigilance because attention to what’s happening around us is what will keep bad actors away
These bad actors need to continue to know that community policing is strong in Libertyville and where neighborhood safety is paramount
The financial commitment to a new state of the art police department will continue to attract top officers to Libertyville and leverage the latest advancements in crime prevention technology
What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development
My perspective is that the village is more reactive than it is proactive about both the commercial and residential development that occurs here
The village Comprehensive Plan provides a vision and priorities for development in both the commercial and residential sectors but the plan lacks a specific strategy for how the vision will be realized and which proposed plan the village is prepared to commit to
With a number of attractive options to choose from in the plan
I’d like to see the village determine the highest priority option and develop a time-bound execution strategy with commitments from developers and funding sources to meet the timeline
These commitments should have annexation language if the developers fail to meet their expectations in order to avoid future issues such as the Liberty Theatre project
I agree with the Comprehensive Plan that the character of each area of town needs to be honored and that development within those areas should include specific expectations that match current structure mix
One such example is the east Rockland Road community which has numerous single story family homes
A minimum percentage of homes in this community should remain single story which would offer several advantages such as community integrity and a housing option for smaller families and those choosing homes absent of staircases
what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents
What will need to be done to make this happen
A few areas for development that I’ve heard from residents include:
Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office
The best advice ever shared with me was: The best advice I was given was to always “think other first”
By putting the needs and desires of others ahead of my own
I am assured that I’m helping to build a successful and fulfilled interdependent community regardless of whether the community is my marriage
If we all “think other first” then we can live in a place where the seemingly impossible is truly possible and where loneliness and isolation are replaced by compassion
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions
I want the voters to know that I’m running for this office because I love this town and want to represent the interests of ALL of Libertyville’s residents
Our family of seven moved here over 53 years ago into a small
and that opportunity positively changed the entire trajectory of my life
their children and arguably every generation to follow in our family
and nothing was handed to our parents or any of us
but this town laid the foundation for what was possible and we took full advantage of that opportunity
I hope those opportunities will continue to be available for aspiring families like ours while maintaining a flourishing and ever-expanding community of possibility for EVERYONE that makes Libertyville their home
a cozy spot in downtown Libertyville for warm scones and breakfast sandwiches by the fire
Owners Maria Mandarino and Dan Temesy gave fans a two-week heads up
9 was the last day for the operation at 725 N
as the building likely would be sold for redevelopment
whether that actually happens is a work in progress with no guarantee
A proposal for a 91-unit apartment building for property near but not initially including Birdy’s has been presented and is proceeding through the village review process
A public hearing on the proposal stretching north and east from Lake Street and Brainerd Avenue was continued until March 31 to allow the developer time to respond to questions about parking and other elements and make revisions
“They're working on a resubmittal,” said Heather Rowe
Birdy’s and other commercial tenants are in a portion of the L-shaped Suydam property
which as presented is separate from the apartment plan
The village has suggested a commercial use for that area in what would be a second stage
is one of four children of the late John Suydam
who more than 60 years ago began assembling properties that would evolve into Liberty Plaza
a mix of business and residential rental spaces
The family packaged the property with frontage on Milwaukee Avenue
Lake Street and Brainerd Avenue as a redevelopment opportunity in late 2021
Two of the four single-family homes on Lake Street that would be demolished for the apartment building also are part of the Suydam property on the market
said an option to buy the property is in place until Aug
the family would need to determine how best to proceed
“I don't want to give them (tenants) the impression it’s a done deal when it isn’t,” Miller said
Before Birdy’s the space had been occupied by Mischief’s Brewing coffeehouse and Caribou coffee
Birdy’s was operating on a month-to-month lease and opted not to renew
Mandarino and Temesy in the post to patrons said they are proud to have been a place of learning for many high school students who had their first jobs there
“We have drawn strength from the community we all created together
not to mention the friendships forged,” patrons were told
The couple have operated The Green Room restaurant across the street at 624 Milwaukee Ave.
for more than a decade and are not completely out of the mix
“Who knows if and when we may pop up with a new venture,” they informed patrons
we are still going strong at The Green Room
IL — Mayor Donna Johnson is leading over village board trustee Mathew Hickey in the Libertyville mayoral race
Johnson had 53.57 percent of the vote total
and Hickey had 46.43 percent of the vote total
Official results are not tallied until all provisional and vote-by-mail ballots are in and counted
Hickey was first elected to the village board four years ago
Johnson has been on the village board since 2007 and is seeking her second term as mayor
Voters in Lake County headed to the polls on Tuesday to make their picks in this year's local election
The numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Libertyville baseball team’s hot start
Opponents have been bamboozled by the Wildcats’ bats and pitchers
Josh Holst got off to a 2-0 start with 18 strikeouts over his first 9 1/3 innings
Chase Lockwood also was 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 11 2/3 innings of work
Holst is hitting .474 with 13 RBI and a .632 slugging percentage
while Oklahoma State-bound Quinn Schambow is at .452 with 6 doubles and 13 RBI
and Ryan Wilberding is at .471 with a .706 slugging percentage
this group is playing well as a team,” said Cats coach Matt Thompson
including securing the Coach Bob International Invitational title and a North Suburban-opening 11-1 victory over Stevenson
“Our guys at the back end of the lineup have contributed a lot
and guys off the bench are producing in big moments.”
Antioch update: The Sequoits (5-4-1) erased an 0-3-1 start with a recent 5-game winning streak
Coach Frank Fracek noted Yeager and Mason Willis are the team leaders in many offensively categories
24 K) and Ben Clausen have been key cogs on the mound
“keeping our team in every game they pitched and giving us chances to win,” he said
Fracek likes the competitive nature displayed thus far
we battled until the very end and put ourselves in positions to win each game,” he said
“Our recent loss to Deerfield was probably our worst overall game of the season (8 errors)
we still had opportunities to win and continued to battle back
We have seen a lot of good pitching based on our schedule.”
Carmel Catholic update: The Corsairs went 4-0 in Tennessee and also allowed no earned runs and fanned 15 (Emerson Larson 10 K and freshman Josh Ouimette 5 K)
Zach Case is hitting .381 (1.054 OPS) with a homer and 7 RBI
Larson has a 1.45 ERA on the hill with 19 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings for Carmel (5-2)
The Corsairs staff has a 2.28 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 40 innings
“We admittedly started slow offensively in our first 2 games
but the offense has stepped it up the last 5 games,” Carmel coach Scott Anderson said
“We’re playing great defense to complement our pitching staff.”
who scored a recent 9-2 win over Palatine and a 17-2 NLCC win over Round Lake
have been boosted by the likes of Ryne Dzierzynski (5-for-8
6 RBI in a recent 2-game sample size) and Cole Sparkman (9 K in 5 innings during a recent outing)
“Our composure in close games has impressed me so far,” Grant coach Bryan Talbot said
Grayslake Central update: Some big numbers jumping off the page for the Rams thus far: Central scored 71 runs in its first 7 games
but this group has shown the ability in the early stages to swing it 1 through 9
which should help us from an offensive consistency standpoint,” coach Troy Whalen said
who went 6-1 in those first seven and bumped it to 7-1 with a 5-4 NLCC win over neighbor Grayslake North
are fueled by the likes of senior first baseman and Parkland pledge Cal Hanson
who is hitting .714 (10 for his first 14) with 5 doubles
He also has sub-1.20 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 9 innings
Hanson has been on the varsity since he was a sophomore
“Cal has been off the charts,” Whalen said
“He’s making other players around him better
is hitting .634 with 9 runs scored and a team-high 8 base thefts
Junior first baseman Beckham Stone has 2 homers
7 RBI and 7 runs scored while swinging it at more than a .400 clip
“We have some guys putting up some impressive offensive numbers early,” Whalen said
but some of these guys are off to a hot start.”
Chemistry also has factored into the strong start
“This group seems to like each other on and off the field,” he explained
“They enjoy playing baseball and having fun
They are a relaxed group and seem to take things in stride.”
Grayslake North update: Timmy Schaap started the season for the Knights by not allowing an earned run in his first 8 2/3 innings while fanning 18 with opponents hitting .167 against him
“Timmy has been a solid arm for us,” coach Eric Lopez said
Lopez also noted Owen Pischke was recently given an opportunity and is now hitting out of the 4-hole with a .375 average
“Owen goes up there with a great approach and looks to drive the ball,” he said
Lopez likes how his team has remained steadfast in their approach
“We have played some tough teams early to which we have been on the wrong end of some tough games,” he said
“I give this group a lot of credit because they consistently keep their head in the game
cheer one another on and maintain a great attitude.”
Lakes update: To cap off its spring break trip to Missouri
Trent Miller hit a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the sixth to help secure a 7-4 win over Webb City
0-1 NLCC) had games against Deerfield and Belvidere North wiped by bad weather
our group continues to work and find continuity early in the season,” Hoffman said
1-0 North Suburban after a 15-0 win over Waukegan) scored 5 runs in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie with Station Camp (Tennessee)
Owen Stahl had 9 RBI in the team’s opening doubleheader
hit .571 with 8 hits and 6 RBI on the trip
Owen Stahl hit .625 with 10 hits and 14 RBI
“Jackson played really well and Owen continues to impress at the plate,” coach Mike Manno said
“I’m impressed with the team’s willingness to learn and grow as people
Mundelein update: Even more good Lake County baseball is coming from Mundelein where the Mustangs started 8-1-1 — the NHL end of that record coming via a 0-0 draw with highly regarded McHenry
Mundy also beat Cary-Grove 5-0 and Glenbrook South 12-2
struck out 11 and walked none in 5 innings against Cary
Coach Randy Lerner said Nick Szalony is playing solid defense and is hitting .545 with .667 on-base and .727 slugging numbers to go with 9 RBI
Kafka has pitched in 5 games and is 1-1 with 1 save
22 strikeouts and 1 walk in 12 1/3 innings
“Our guys have a great energy in the clubhouse,” noted Lerner
whose team blanked Zion 8-0 in its league opener
“They are great teammates and are genuinely excited when others are finding success.”
Stevenson update: Stevenson put together a 5-game winning streak after a 5-game slide
That streak included 3 wins by a combined 5 runs
including a pair of 1-run affairs against Leeds (Alabama) and Prairie Ridge
but still are not satisfied with our first third of the season,” coach Nick Skala said
Ryan Harris is hitting .414 with 4 doubles
Harris and Jordan Levine have been stoppers on the mound (4-1 when they take the ball)
“And then Ryan has been our offense thus far
Vernon Hills update: Simeon Friedman had a game-ending RBI single against Hoffman Estates (3-2 win)
“I like our resilience,” coach Pasquale Atteo said
we fight and cheer each other on until the final out is made.”
Vernon Hills (3-8 after an 8-5 loss to Deerfield) has been led by Kyle Kim (.417 batting average
“Kyle is seeing the ball well,” Atteo said
He makes consistent contact and works exceptionally hard
He’s battled all year to get back into shape
He’s a true baseball kid who is competitive and hungry to win.”
Warren update: Coach Clint Smothers’ squad started a solid 6-3 (0-1 North Suburban
which included a key win against a strong Crystal Lake South team over spring break
Junior Braylan McCarthy is 2-0 on the mound with a save
a 1.17 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings
Junior Peyton Balanag is 1-1 with a 1.91 ERA and 16 strikeouts
The bats are led by sophomore Braxton Goodfellow (.400) and ninth-grader Connor Nissen (.381 overall and hot on spring break
Nissen also was credited with the save in the South win on the spring break junket
Goodfellow hit .333 on the trip and had a team-high 6 RBI
while Mason Durst hit .375 and McCarthy had 5 hits
and also pitched 6 1/3 innings to get the win against South
Cooper Clark pitched a complete-game 2-hitter against Benton High
while sophomore Alex Kolcier allowed no earned runs in 6 innings to record the win against Vernon Hills
and to have our freshman and sophomore players playing so well has really helped us win some games
We are very young and our pitchers are throwing strikes
Wauconda update: Coach Shawn Rudolph noted Ryan Fostiak and Jackson Murphy have been “steady balanced players and have brought competitive energy for the team to raise up to,” he said
Luke Sickmeir (.526) and Jackson Rudolph (.407) are off to hot starts at the plate for the Bulldogs (5-5
1-0 Northern Lake County after a 6-1 win over Lakes)
“We have good energy and team culture whether we are up or down,” Rudolph said
“The kids keep battling and are trying to get it to the next guy
we have a large chance to do some damage.”
The public review process for a proposed development of single-family homes and duplexes to replace the long-standing Libertyville Manor assisted living facility is underway
Libertyville’s advisory appearance review commission Monday was introduced to Pulte Home Company’s vision for Greenway Chase
which calls for 64 single-family homes and 70 age-restricted duplexes at 610 Peterson Road
Pulte is seeking approvals to annex about 14 acres in unincorporated Lake County to bring the proposed development to 42 acres and rezone it from institutional to residential use
The homebuilder says it wants to increase the diversity of housing stock in Libertyville based on demographic trends to include duplexes for those 55 and older and single-family homes on smaller lots targeted to young professionals
“They’re trying to appeal to the demands of the community,” said Heather Rowe
The proposal is considered an infill development in a town with few large areas available
the new neighborhood would replace Libertyville Manor on the north side of Peterson Road east of Butterfield Road
The business has been owned and operated by the Stokovich family since opening in Lake Villa in 1959
The building is functionally obsolete and has been marketed for redevelopment
a special use permit for a planned development
concept plan and other approvals also are being sought
A lengthy application including supporting material was submitted Jan. 10 and has been available on the village website under the community development tab
but there has been no formal public discussion to date
The appearance review commission makes recommendations on building facades
Zoning matters and other details will be the topic of a future public hearing before the advisory plan commission/zoning board of appeals
Monday’s session was more a general overview of the project including descriptions of the housing types and styles but it had been determined in advance the matter be continued
Whitaker said the company has under-built in the Lake County market for a number of years and has seen demand changing with seniors and millennials having a harder time finding housing
Despite an aging population and small household size in Libertyville
the percentage of attached single-family homes in town has shrunk the past 15 years as the size of houses has been getting larger
Pulte will return with details on the architectural variety of the homes and landscaping within and on the perimeter of the development
IL — Voters in Illinois will head to the polls to make their picks for local village board
Spring local elections typically see a low voter turnout compared to the highly publicized November elections
but your selections for local leaders can make a big difference in your day-to-day life
Local politicians are tasked with voting on measures that impact development
polices in our towns and schools and much more
here is what you will need to know if you plan to head to the polls
Early voting will continue Monday, March, 31, and a full list of early voting sites and hours of operation can be found here.
When it comes to voting early, you can use any site regardless of where you live in Lake County. On Election Day, you can go to your "preferred voting site," but you can also vote at any registered voting site in the county under the county clerk's new "vote-center model." Your preferred site can be found here
For those interested in checking wait times at early voting sites, visit here.
You can enter your name, address and date of birth on this Lake County Clerk's website and take a peak at your sample ballot.
one of the races worth keeping your eye on is the mayoral race where incumbent Donna Johnson will face challenger Matthew Hickey
five candidates are vying for three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board
As for the Community High School District 128 board
five candidates will be vying for four open seats
with seven candidates vying for four open seats
two O'Connors will run against each other for the Libertyville Township Supervisor seat
Verify your voter registration status on the Lake County Clerk's Office's Voter Power page. More information on how to register, if you are not registered to vote, can be found here
On Election Day, April 1, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 1. You can vote at your preferred voting site or at any registered voting site, which is new this year under the county clerk's switch to a vote-center model for voting.
Beginning 90 days before the election, the applications are available to submit online here: LakeVoterPower.info
You can also print a personalized PDF form to mail
an electronic application will allow for the fastest processing method
You can complete an electronic application by selecting “Electronic Request” after log in and follow the prompts through to “Submit Request.” Your signature is not required
If you wish to print and mail a personalized application to the Lake County Clerk’s office
and mail or deliver your application to the Lake County Clerk’s office
Here are other ways you can obtain a mail-in ballot:
Ballots are mailed starting 40 days before Election Day
The Lake County Clerk’s office must receive your completed ballot application by 5 p.m
your voted ballot must be hand delivered to the Lake County Clerk's office by 7 p.m
or it may be returned via mail with a postmark no later than Election Day and received at the Lake County Clerk's office no later than 14 days after Election Day
You can track the Lake County Clerk’s receipt of your application and voted ballot at LakeVoterPower.info. You can apply for permanent vote-by-mail status here
The Lake County Clerk's Office Vote Power website is a great resource for all things election-related. Check it out here.
IL — There are two candidate vying for the mayoral seat in Libertyville this spring
Patch.com will be publishing candidate questionnaires leading up to the election for candidates who respond to our questionnaires
Below is the candidate questionnaire answers for Matthew Hickey
a candidate for the Libertyville mayoral race:
Campaign Website: www.libertyvilletogether.com
Town/City of Residence: Village of Libertyville
Office Sought: Village board or city council
Education: University of Illinois Chicago | Master in Urban Planning & Policy (1999 - 2001)
Ohio University | Bachelor of Arts (1990 - 1993)
Please include years of experience.: Trustee
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Trustee
and this is what I intend to do about them
Libertyville is shifting from development to redevelopment
large projects go to the Board before the Plan Commission
Without a clear vision for downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
I will establish a Comprehensive Plan Commission for long-term planning with early resident involvement
Growth must align with infrastructure needs so roads
Supporting small businesses through zoning improvements and economic incentives will strengthen our local economy
Mayor Johnson is pushing a 1% grocery tax despite reserves exceeding rainy-day fund policies
I will also publicly announce commission openings
and hold open office hours so government is accessible to everyone
Libertyville deserves a leader who listens
My approach is rooted in openness and community-driven decision-making because every resident’s voice matters
I oppose unnecessary no-bid contracts and support competitive bidding to protect taxpayer dollars
I also oppose Mayor Johnson’s 1% grocery tax—families and seniors shouldn’t pay more while the Village holds reserves over its rainy-day fund policy requirement
we should focus on smart investments and business-friendly policies
I’ll ensure development follows a clear vision shaped by early resident input
which is why I’ve always shared my campaign finances openly—and as mayor
I’ll bring that same accountability to Village government
Libertyville is more diverse than any single slate can represent
My campaign is about bringing people together
and building solutions—Libertyville Together
Libertyville deserves leadership that prioritizes transparency
Residents should have a real voice in development
projects move forward before they can weigh in
Developers also face unclear regulations and unpredictable fees
making thoughtful projects harder to bring to Libertyville
No-bid contracts have led to cost overruns—like Fire Station #2’s remodel going 22% over budget
The Police Station facility assessment was awarded without Board consultation to a firm personally thanked by the Mayor at her 2021 swearing-in
Every tax dollar should be spent responsibly
It took three years to approve safety improvements at Milwaukee & Maple
Libertyville deserves leadership that listens and acts
Accountability and smart fiscal policies are central to my campaign
I’ll end unnecessary no-bid contracts to secure the best deals for taxpayers and oppose the Mayor’s 1% grocery tax
Supporting small businesses drives economic growth
deepen MainStreet Libertyville partnerships
and introduce pop-up retail licenses to encourage entrepreneurship
Transparency and innovation must go hand in hand
I’ll stream all Village and Commission meetings
and ensure decision-making reflects the entire community
We must modernize government services—using AI-driven efficiencies
and explore adopting artisanal zoning to support small-scale makers
Residents deserve a real say in development
with earlier involvement and regular public input through surveys
I’ve worked with my fellow trustees to deliver real results for Libertyville as trustee and chair of the Village Finance Committee
and fair contracts—because every tax dollar should deliver value
With a Master’s in Urban Planning and 23 years in finance
Voters should trust me because I love Libertyville
and I have called Libertyville home for 20 years
and I’m grateful every day to be part of this community
With a Master’s in Urban Planning & Policy and 23 years in community development finance
and local governments to solve complex problems—revitalizing neighborhoods
As trustee and chair of the Village Finance Committee
I’ve helped make government more effective
I believe in giving residents a voice in shaping Libertyville’s future
and it’s what I’ll continue delivering as mayor
Success isn’t just about policies—it’s about building a stronger
more connected Libertyville where every resident feels heard
and every decision moves us toward a brighter future
success means modernizing our development process to reflect community priorities so that growth strengthens our neighborhoods
It means ending no-bid contracts and increasing fiscal accountability
easing the burden on families and seniors while focusing on smart investments that grow our local economy
Success is expanding business support and streamlining approvals
making Libertyville a place where entrepreneurs can thrive
success means increasing resident involvement
ensuring that government is more accessible
and our future is built together—that’s success
Libertyville has a strong tradition of fiscal responsibility
and I’m committed to upholding our financial policies to keep services high-quality and cost-effective
and kept our finances strong—even through challenges
I’ll continue this responsible stewardship
ensuring every tax dollar works harder for residents
That means stopping unnecessary no-bid contracts and strengthening competitive bidding to get the best value for taxpayers
we should grow our economy by supporting small businesses and attracting investment
That’s why I oppose Mayor Johnson’s 1% grocery tax—it burdens families
I’ll also ensure utility rates remain fair and aligned with responsible long-term planning—so we maintain infrastructure without extra strain on residents
I’ll protect Libertyville’s financial strength for the future
We’re fortunate to live in a safe community
I’ll support our police and fire departments with the training
and resources they need—not just to respond but to prevent emergencies
we must support their well-being and mental health
Public safety is more than emergency response—it’s about working together
I’ll partner with businesses to raise awareness of crime trends
We must also do more to protect pedestrians
Two recent incidents where pedestrians were struck by vehicles make it clear: we need proactive solutions to make our streets safer—before another accident happens
we’ll keep Libertyville a safe place to live
Libertyville’s development process lacks clear vision
leaving residents and developers frustrated
Projects move forward without early community input
and shifting expectations create uncertainty for developers and businesses
we’re left with a patchwork approach that doesn’t serve businesses or residents
or commercial growth—just case-by-case negotiations that create uncertainty
failing to encourage the housing solutions Libertyville needs
the approval process is slow and unpredictable
making it harder for property owners to invest
We need a smarter approach—one that’s transparent
Libertyville deserves a development process that works for everyone
not one that leaves people and developers guessing
and community-driven development process—one that encourages smart redevelopment while ensuring residents have a voice in shaping our future
I’ll establish a Comprehensive Plan Commission to guide long-term growth
ensuring major projects align with community priorities instead of being decided in silos
This Commission will provide early input before large projects reach the Village Board
ensuring residents are heard and developers have clear expectations
We’ll modernize zoning to support artisanal zoning and pop-up retail
helping small businesses test ideas before committing to brick-and-mortar
Expanding Accessory Dwelling Units will create more housing options while preserving neighborhood character
we’ll streamline approvals and improve permitting
using technology to reduce delays and make investing in Libertyville easier
A transparent process leads to smarter growth—and a future built together
The best advice I ever received was the Golden Rule: treat others as you’d like to be treated
Public service should always be rooted in professionalism
and accountability—because Libertyville’s elected officials should reflect our community’s values: honesty
we’ve seen behavior in public office that erodes trust
I will ask all Trustees to sign the Illinois Municipal League (IML) Ethics Pledge and push for a formal IML Ethics Pledge Resolution to reinforce ethical leadership
I’ll also ensure elected officials follow the same rules as employees—banning the use of public resources for political campaigning
Good government should reflect the best of its people
The Golden Rule isn’t just advice; it’s the foundation of leadership that builds trust and strengthens our community
I love Libertyville and care deeply about its future
Libertyville isn’t just a place—it’s a town built on connection
and the belief that we achieve more when we work together
Let’s achieve more and build a stronger Libertyville—together
Lake Forest was about as high-powered as a high school rivalry gets
Libertyville fans taunt the other side by waving argyle socks
while Lake Forest countered with white trash bags
The first playoff game between the neighboring suburbs was a classic
as Lake Forest somehow drove 98 yards for the winning touchdown in the final two minutes
Danny Van Camp's 1-yard QB sneak with 6.6 seconds on the clock gave the Scouts a 24-17 victory in the Class 6A playoffs
“I'd say it's still a rivalry,” Van Camp said as students stormed the field
Libertyville downed a punt at the Lake Forest 2-yard line with 1:41 remaining
hoping to get the ball back in good field position
who split the defense and gained 47 yards out to midfield
who was well-covered and made a nice catch to the 19-yard line
Another pass to Burger put it at the 4 before two runs produced the TD
“I heard the slant and I saw them go into zero coverage and I was like
'Maybe I'll get a chance here,'” Markee said
Sitting at your own 2-yard line in a tie game
let's just let it all out,'” Van Camp said
“Two guys made two incredible plays and we just got it within range
Lake Forest's defense made a huge play to set up the final drive
Libertyville QB Quinn Schambow had an open receiver near the 25-yard line
but a big hit by Marty Hippel forced the incompletion and a punt
The Scouts (9-2) made an interesting position switch this week
using two of their biggest offensive stars
While Hippel rushed for 113 yards on 25 carries
Markee made 2 interceptions and returned one for a touchdown
“They didn't play a down (on defense) until today,” LF coach Chuck Spagnoli said
“It's only genius because of what the result is
I'm just the guy who asks them to do what they can
Libertyville trailed 17-10 at halftime and tied the score with 9 minutes left on an impressive play by Schambow
ran to his right and found Blaise LaVista in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown
there were obviously two extremes on the field — jubilation from Lake Forest
heartbreak and sad hugs on the Libertyville side
it really was,” said Wildcats coach Mike Jones
because they put a lot of work and effort in
Libertyville (9-2) got a fourth-down stop at the Lake Forest 30-yard line and scored the opening TD on a 7-yard pass from Schambow to Sam Seth
Markee's interception tied the score on the Wildcats' second drive
then a 53-yard pass to LaVista set up a 40-yard field goal by Ben Ratner to make it 10-7
got help from a pass interference penalty that had the home crowd booing and scored on a 9-yard pass to Luke Pasquesi
A 39-yard field goal by LF's Dan Timotei made it 17-10
who is headed to Oklahoma State for baseball
Office sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (2-year term)
Is there a particular issue that motivates you
I am running for the District 128 board because I firmly believe that a quality education is a right for every student
Our schools should provide an environment where all students have the opportunity to learn
I am committed to ensuring that every decision made prioritizes student achievement
and upholds the high standards of our district while maintaining fiscal responsibility
I will bring an open-minded and thoughtful approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our schools
always keeping students at the heart of every discussion
What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum
The school board plays a crucial role in setting and monitoring the curriculum by ensuring it aligns with state standards
The board’s primary responsibility is hiring and of on-boarding a new superintendent
This I think that will be this board's most important job initially and supporting this person to ensure their success — which will bring success to the district — will be critical
While the development of curriculum is primarily the responsibility of educators and administrators
the board provides oversight by reviewing and approving curriculum recommendations
ensuring they support academic excellence and student success
the board monitors the effectiveness of the curriculum through performance data
making adjustments as needed to maintain high-quality education for all students
My focus would be on fostering a curriculum that is rigorous
and prepares students for future opportunities while respecting fiscal responsibility
Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board
District 128 has seen learning disruptions that have impacted academic achievement since COVID-19
Using assessment data to identify learning gaps and adjust teaching methods accordingly
ensuring that educators have the tools they need to support every student
Providing teachers with ongoing training and innovative teaching methods to better engage students and accelerate learning
Addressing student stress by ensuring that academic rigor is balanced with well-being initiatives
helping students regain confidence in their learning
Strengthening partnerships with families to support learning at home
as student success is closely tied to engagement beyond the classroom
we can ensure District 128 recovers from pandemic setbacks and continues to thrive as one of the top-performing districts in the state
How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular
give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree
my role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies would be to provide strategic leadership while ensuring that all voices in the community are heard — even those with whom I may personally disagree
I believe in advancing open and respectful dialogue
and making informed decisions that prioritize students’ best interests
While state guidelines and educational standards provide a framework
local decisions should reflect the needs and values of our community while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity
Leadership sometimes requires making difficult or even unpopular decisions
but I would always approach these challenges with integrity
and a focus on what best serves our students’ education and future
Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy
What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy
Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board
Throughout my career I have worked in group settings where collaboration
and decision-making were essential to determining policy and guiding organizations forward
Each of which has shaped my ability to work effectively in a school board setting
I have collaborated on training programs designed to enhance skills
my work in developing operational outcomes has required me to analyze data
I have experience in motivating teams — bringing people together around a shared vision
These skills are directly applicable to overseeing district policies
and ensuring that our schools remain accountable to students
What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts
Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs
I believe that diversity and equity is essential in ensuring every student reaches their highest potential
In speaking with many community members and teachers
I have heard concerns that previous DEI programs were implemented too quickly
without sufficient time for thoughtful integration into the existing curriculum
Schools implement DEI through curriculum choices
and student support programs to reduce disparities and foster a more inclusive learning environment
DEI initiatives benefit not only our students but also our entire community
and inclusion framework enhances critical thinking
and cultural understanding — skills that are essential in today’s world
What makes you the best candidate for the job
I am the best candidate for the District 128 board because I am committed to ensuring every student receives a high-quality education while maintaining fiscal responsibility
and leadership equips me to work effectively with diverse perspectives and make informed decisions that benefit students
With a deep investment in our community and a passion for education
and a collaborative mindset to the school board
What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet
An idea that isn’t being widely discussed is implementing a “Real-World Readiness” program that integrates practical life skills into the curriculum
While District 128 provides excellent academic preparation
many students graduate without essential skills for adulthood
• Career and Professional Skills — Resume writing
• Civic Engagement and Life Responsibilities — Understanding voting
• Mental Health and Stress Management — Practical strategies for balancing work
The program could be integrated through workshops
or partnerships with local businesses and professionals
This would ensure that all students leave District 128 not just academically strong
2025 at 11:15 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}In the Libertyville Village Board race
incumbents Katherine "Casey" Rooney and Matthew Krummick were challenged by newcomers Patrick Scheibler
IL — Five candidates were vying for three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board in Tuesday's local election
Polls have closed in Lake County and results are being tallied for the village board race
In the Libertyville Village Board race incumbents Katherine "Casey" Rooney and Matthew Krummick were challenged by newcomers Patrick Scheibler
here is a look at the unofficial results that have been tallied:
All results tallied on election night are unofficial
2025 at 10:25 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Patch Graphics)LIBERTYVILLE
IL — The 2024 presidential election seems like it's not far behind us
but Libertyville residents will soon be headed back to the polls to vote for their picks to local village board
but your picks for local leaders can make a big difference in your day-to-day life
Local candidates are tasked with voting on measures that impact development
As Election Day nears — it is April 1 — we want to make sure you are prepared when you head to the polls
Read on to find out what you need to know when voting in Libertyville this spring election
Early voting opened on March 7 in the main lobby of the Lake County Courthouse
The hours for voting at the courthouse will run from 9 a.m
Early voting will open countywide on Monday, March 17, and will end on March 31, which is the day before the April 1 Election Day. A full list of early voting sites and hours of operation can be found here.
When it comes to voting early, you can use any site regardless of where you live in Lake County. On Election Day, you can got to your "preferred voting site," but you can also vote any registered voting site in the county under the county clerk's new "vote-center model." Your preferred site can be found here
races worth keeping your eye on include the mayoral race
where incumbent Donna Johnson will face challenger Matthew Hickey
After losing a marathon first set 34-32 to host Stevenson
the Libertyville boys volleyball team had to regroup in its North Suburban Conference season opener Wednesday night
1-0) did just that as they rolled to a 25-15 win in the second set before pulling away for a 25-16 victory in the third set to win the match
0-1) led 9-6 in the third set on a service point by Evan Headley
But the tide started to turn after that as 5 service points by Jordan Coughlin (4 kills
Stevenson was unable to stop that momentum as a kill by Lukas Slesers (8 kills) put the finishing touches on the victory
Six-foot-9 junior Nate Knight (game-high 12 kills
3 blocks) came alive in the second and third sets after being more of a decoy early in the match
"It was really about just eliminating errors (in second and third sets) and the first set was super close because we gave them a lot of their points," said Knight
"In the first set they started to double and triple me and once they settled down and stopped doing that they gave me the ball again
And after I got a couple of kills they used me as a decoy again."
The first set was a dogfight from start to finish as Stevenson's Chanjun Hwang (3 kills) left the match with an ankle injury leading 25-24 and he never returned
but it was a block by Stevenson's Shresth Mohapatra (4 kills
Liberyville's Tyler Wilson had 10 kills while Dulguun Ankhbayer and Matthew Oklado had 5 kills each for the Pats
Libertyville's Aarav Bamrolia had 34 assists
and teammate Justin Howell had 10 digs and 4 kills
Jackson Kern added 13 digs while teammate Braden Moss had 8 digs and 3 aces for the Wildcats
"Stevenson was playing really well in the first set
and we cleaned up our play and took care of business," said Libertyville coach Jenny Smith
he did a fantastic job making himself available and hitting around a triple block which is tough to do."
Stevenson's Atticus Gurel had 9 digs while teammate Marcel Ryszkowski had 4 blocks
Key Stevenson player Anderson Helfand missed the match due to injury
"We just had trouble finishing set two and then similar stuff started to happen in set three," said Stevenson coach Eric Goolish
"I was really happy how we were defending him (Knight) for most of the match
When a rally happens it gets harder to keep track of him so he was definitely more effective once the rallies got going."
IL — Two will vie for the Libertyville mayoral seat this April
Incumbent Mayor Donna Johnson will be challenged by village board trustee Matthew Hickey
who was first elected to the village board four years ago
is to establish a Comprehensive Plan Commission
which will be focused on long-term planning
It will also allow residents to get more involved in planning earlier in the process
"Libertyville is shifting from development to redevelopment
large projects go to the (village) board before the Plan Commission
"Growth must align with infrastructure needs so roads
Supporting small businesses through zoning improvements and economic incentives will strengthen our local economy."
is pushing for a 1 percent grocery tax for the village
Hickey said the tax is not needed and that budget reserves in Libertyville exceed rainy-day fund policies
"...families and seniors shouldn’t pay more while the village holds reserves over its rainy-day fund policy requirement
we should focus on smart investments and business-friendly policies," he said
will be to end unnecessary no-bid contracts
stream all meetings and hold open office hours so government is accessible to everyone
he'd be focused on "openness" and "community-driven decision making."
I’ll bring that same accountability to village government," Hickey said
He also said the police station facility assessment "was awarded without board consultation to a firm personally thanked by the Mayor at her 2021 swearing-in
"Every tax dollar should be spent responsibly
public safety concerns need to be addressed more efficiently
Safety improvements at Milwaukee and Maple in Libertyville took three years to come to fruition
he wouldn't delay on addressing such issues
The coroner has released the identity of an elderly woman who died after she was struck by an SUV while crossing the street in Libertyville Sunday evening
An autopsy performed Monday showed that Xiufang Wu
died as a result of blunt force injuries from being struck by a vehicle
according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek
The Libertyville Fire Department and Libertyville Police Department responded around 8:25 p.m
Sunday to the area of Route 176 and Fourth Avenue in Libertyville for a vehicle crash with injuries
Libertyville Deputy Police Chief Matt Goze said the single-vehicle crash involved a Honda Pilot and a pedestrian
Officers learned the Honda was traveling westbound on Route 176 when it struck the pedestrian
Wu was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with life-threatening injuries
Goze said the driver of the Honda Pilot remained at the scene and was uninjured
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) responded to the scene to conduct a crash reconstruction
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Libertyville Police Department
the Lake County Coroner’s Office and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office
Freshman McKenna Weaver is glad she could join the fun that started for Libertyville’s softball team during last year’s surprising run to a sectional title game
Weaver had a blast Thursday with her first homer to support junior career strikeout leader Taylor Higham’s return to the pitcher’s circle
Fourth-year starter Emily Psyhogios hit her fourth homer and Higham threw a 4-hitter for Libertyville (11-4) in a 13-0 nonconference win in 5 innings over visiting St
“Everyone here is a leader and they’ve all made me feel so welcome,” Weaver said after going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI
“Everyone is friends on the team and you feel like you can be yourself.”
had 4 strikeouts and 1 walk after not pitching the last 3 games with a leg issue
A big reason the Wildcats are on a 5-game winning streak is Weaver stepped up and threw consecutive no-hitters against Zion-Benton and Lake Forest with 18 and 13 strikeouts
“I felt I was able to pick her up well and that was a good mental boost for me,” Weaver said
“It was nice to be able to rest and I felt good,” Higham said
Libertyville displayed strong plate discipline by taking 12 walks
Maddy Kleeman and freshman Jules Figurelli had singles
And Libertyville coach Dar Townsend likes the tone from the senior class that includes Siena Zombolo
“We have good senior leaders,” Townsend said
“All six of them are really great leaders and they’ve created a nice culture.”
Higham called it “super fun” as Libertyville has won 8 of its last 9 games
“The way we ended last year made us more motivated to come in this year,” Higham said
“Last year at the end we were playing for each other and that’s what we’ve done this year from the beginning.”
but coach John Scotillo hopes she can return soon
Gemma Del Boccio and Ellen Denten stepped up to pitch Thursday
“I couldn’t have been prouder of them and they all wanted to do it,” Scotillo said
“We’ve been in a little bit of a (hitting) slump now
Mia Lund and Kayli Burke combined for three nice catches in left field
Bella Gounaris and Lia Horn had Viator’s hits
Libertyville has things really going its way right now
The Wildcats (9-0) continued on their early-season roll Friday with a 5-inning
11-1 victory over Buffalo Grove in Libertyville
“We have started out playing real well,” said Libertyville coach Matt Thompson
whose team won its spring tournament in Arizona
The Wildcats may be able to trace their success thus far to the disappointment of being eliminated in the sectionals last season
“We have been playing together since we were kids,” said Quinn Schambow
Playing the game is the most important thing
We trust each other and we trust the guy behind us.”
The Wildcats scored at least one run in each of their five at-bats against Buffalo Grove
In the first inning Cole Lockwood doubled and scored on his brother Chase’s single
Ryan Wilberding later singled and scored on Carson Holmes’ double to make it 2-0
which picked up a win Thursday over Deerfield
scored its only run of the game in its half of the second inning
Owen Erickson singled and scored on Jordan Dudek’s single to cut the lead to 2-1
Libertyville put the game away in its next at-bat
Zachary Seiler and Johnny Leoris each walked
Leoris scored on the first of two sacrifice flies by Cole Lockwood
and Schambow touched home on a wild pitch to make it 5-1
The Wildcats added single runs in each of the next two innings to increase their lead to 7-1
Leoris had a bases-loaded walk to score Wilberding
“We are just in a rhythm right now and swinging it well,” said Wilberding
“This year we have got a lot better with more depth
and we are just performing to the caliber we are able to.”
Leoris drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double
“One of our coaches noticed a weakness in my swing,” said Leoris
“So the days leading up to this game I have been working on getting on top of the ball and not trying to do too much
Thompson said that the depth of his team is making lineup decisions difficult at times
“We are early in the season and playing lots of guys,” Thompson said
Buffalo Grove coach Bill Montemayor said playing teams like Libertyville in nonconference games is good for his team
“They are a good ballclub,” Montemayor said
“But it is good for us in the long run to play these kind of teams and be competitive
This will prepare us for conference and the rest of the year
They are in our sectional and that is the type of caliber you have to beat if you want to win a regional.”
2025 at 11:55 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}More than 550 people braved cold temperatures Saturday to join the protest organized by Lake County Democrats
IL — Hundreds stopped out to the Tesla dealership in Libertyville to take part in a protest against Elon Musk and Donald Trump
More than 550 people braved cold temperatures Saturday to join the protest organized by Lake County Democrats
“The large crowd shows what we knew — the people of Lake County rejected Trump by 20 points
and we’re not staying silent about Elon Musk and Donald Trump now,” said Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash
who broke his promise to bring down prices on day one
and now the American people are paying even more.”
A "counterprotest" of about 40 Musk and Trump supporters was held near the dealership Saturday
The counterprotest was promoted by Turning Point USA
The group included a member of the Proud Boys
a far-right militant group that helped lead the January 6th insurrection on the US Capitol in 2021
according to the Lake County Democrats news release
A dispute regarding the village-owned Adler Arts Center in Libertyville has gone public with each side chiding the other over the length of a new lease
Adler officials say the village offering no more than a 5-year lease for the center
would negate a $100,000 state grant for capital improvements and be a missed opportunity
Village leaders counter a short-term lease is in the best interest as it studies all its facilities and is “more than willing” to consider partnering in an improvement based on a comprehensive request from Adler
Officials said any allegation the village does not support the local arts community is false
The previous lease for the building and property was for $10 per year for 20 years
2024 and Adler has been allowed to continue operating until a new lease is agreed upon by both parties
A 5-year lease “undermines the future of this beloved community institution,” according to Ellen Williams
Adler also called on the village board to reconsider its decision saying the community will be deprived of resources to support arts education
public performance and community outreach programs
“Considering the (village) board’s decision and lack of communication
we will be moving forward with a petition campaign to rally support for the Adler Arts Center and inform the public what has transpired,” she said Friday in a news release
The petition on change.org is live and had gathered 779 signatures as of Monday afternoon
Village officials fired back saying the grant terms — requiring a minimum 10-year lease — were not reviewed by the village before it was awarded and it isn’t in the best interest to commit to a longer term
The grant can be used only for improvements to a facility and property owned by the village
“To publicly allege that the village does not support the Adler Arts Center provides no benefit to the village as a whole and only alienates them from the village/owner of the building property,” the village response reads
Since the sale of the Libertyville Sports Complex
the village has been reviewing all its facilities and space needs in a holistic approach
“It’s not because they do not support the efforts of the Adler Arts Center,” she said Monday
The village is open to working with Adler on a patio improvement project exclusive of the lease term
A draft lease is being prepared but legal review has not been completed
which extends east to the Des Plaines River and included what are now Adler Park and Adler Park school
were donated to the village after he died in 1949
Visual artists founded the Libertyville Arts Center in 1957
A foundation occupies and operates the home and 11 surrounding acres
Office Sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (Vote for 4)
I’m running for the District 128 school board because I believe a strong public education is the backbone of a thriving community
I see firsthand how the world is changing and how students need more than just academic excellence — they need resilience
My background as an educator at a health sciences university gives me a unique perspective on preparing students for future challenges
has the opportunity to succeed and that our schools continue to provide an outstanding
The school board can play role in shaping the curriculum by setting policies and priorities
and responding to the evolving needs of students
It’s not about micromanaging course offerings or lesson plans but about making sure our schools are equipping students with the right knowledge and skills
I understand the importance of integrating digital literacy
and critical thinking into the curriculum to prepare students for future careers
It is also important for the board to promote continuous improvement by reviewing data
and making evidence-based decisions to keep our curriculum strong
As a district we must focus on long-term curriculum improvements
Our curriculum should not only prepare our students to be college ready but ready for the modern workforce
We also need to make our process for evaluating curriculum changes transparent and ensure they not only align with student needs but developed in collaboration with educators
It is important for the board to restore trust
ensuring that changes are student-centered
and focused on long-term success of the district
I think it is important to balance all the three aspects and build consensus
It is important to provide thoughtful perspectives
The most important thing to remember is decisions should always be student-centered and based on data
my approach would be to gather input from all stakeholders including students
and analyze performance data to make informed decisions
I believe respectful dialogue leads to the best outcomes
It is important we focus on developing good policies and processes that enhance student learning while maintaining a school environment that is academically rigorous and always welcoming
Collaboration is at the heart of good decision-making
I have been involved in working with groups to make decision on when to devote resources to advance research programs and when to stop
All of them were data-driven but anchored in ground realities
I regularly collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development and student success initiatives
balancing different perspectives while focusing on data-driven solutions
Providing a platform to all opinions and consensus building with collective ownership of the decision (even if proven incorrect in hindsight) is the best approach
we often debate policy changes that impact student learning outcomes — these discussions require patience
focus on data and honest desire to take corrective action
I believe this experience will help me effectively contribute to policy decisions that benefit District 128 students and educators
In the recent months the idea of DEI has been completely misinterpreted
I would argue that our nation has embraced DEI throughout its evolution by giving rights to women to vote
DEI is not about replacing merit and standards
It is simply about expanding opportunities and removing barriers
Goal 2 of the District 128 strategic plan is well communicated
As long as we stay focused on ensuring student success is at the center of decision making and implementation
we will be marching in the right direction
it is not for me to decide if I am the best for the job
The community collectively gets to decide that
What I can say is as a parent with children who have graduated or will enter District 128
I’m personally invested in the district’s success
I understand what students need to succeed beyond high school
My ability to bridge perspectives — parents
taxpayers and policymakers — will hopefully help me to promote well-informed
balanced decisions that put students first
AI is the latest buzzword among high school students and global power brokers
AI has genuine potential to influence education
AI can enhance personalized learning by helping teachers identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement
a student struggling in math could receive customized problem sets and targeted support
while an advanced student could be challenged with more complex material — all tailored through AI-driven insights
I see a lot of potential in leveraging technology to make education more personalized
This will allow for educators to ensure that every student can strive to reach their full potential
FAIRFIELD \u2013 Motorists who travel between Libertyville and Fairfield will need to take a detour starting Monday
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FAIRFIELD – Motorists who travel between Libertyville and Fairfield will need to take a detour starting Monday
Jefferson County Engineer DeWayne Heintz announced that the county is closing a portion of Libertyville Road to rebuild the bridge over Big Cedar Creek
The bridge will be closed for about seven months
Juniper Avenue north of Fairfield Quarry will also be closed during this time so the contractor can use that road to stage the construction by parking vehicles there or storing materials
Heintz said most motorists will be able to take a detour north of Libertyville along Hemlock Avenue
connecting to Old Highway 34 and then turning east to get to Fairfield
Grain trucks and other heavy automobiles will need to use a separate detour
to avoid a bridge on Hemlock that has a 40-ton weight limit
Their detour will take them south and east of Libertyville on Indigo Boulevard and onto 250th Street before connecting with Highway 1
Since a large share of this truck detour is on gravel roads
Heintz said the county will apply dust control in front of the homes on this route
so the dust does not both residents and to ensure good visibility
The bridge is being replaced because it’s “just plain worn out,” Heintz said
He said it was built in the 1950s and has reached the typical lifespan of a bridge
“The county got its money’s worth out of it
and now it’s time to be replaced,” he said
The project is expected to cost about $2 million
and about $1.5 million of that is coming from federal grants
“We’re not using county road funds for any of this project,” Heintz said
“We were very fortunate to get those grants.”
Heintz said the only downside to receiving federal grants is that there are strings attached
That meant the county had to hire researchers to look into whether this construction would damage a historically significant sites
or have a negative impact on endangered or threatened species
Heintz said that the federal dollars also required more stringent safety standards
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
2025 at 10:11 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kathleen O' Connor has been township supervisor since 2009
has previously served as the Lake County clerk and was a Libertyville Township trustee for 12 years
IL — As you head to the polls this spring election
you are going to want to check your selection closely for one local race
The Libertyville Township Supervisor race has two O'Connors running for its one open seat
Incumbent Kathleen O' Connor has been township supervisor since 2009
The two have been asked frequently if they are sisters while campaigning for the township supervisor race
have even joked about making a jingle titled
"she's not my sister," the Lake County News-Sun is reporting
Kathleen O'Connor said that some looking at their ballot may think
without knowing any background on the candidates
there's been some family tension leading to the two O'Connor's running for the same seat
“...Thankfully that’s not the case. We were just blessed with the same last name," she told the Lake County News-Sun
This spring's local elections will be held on April 1
More via the Lake County News-Sun
IL — Three teens faces charges after police found drugs and guns on them during a traffic stop in Zion Sunday night
A Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy pulled over a car in the area of 27th Street and Galilee Avenue at about 8:15 p.m
on Sunday and requested a K9 to assist with searching the vehicle after three 17-year-old boys inside the car appeared "unusually nervous and were evasive in their responses," according to a news release from the sheriff's office
The boys were asked to get out of their car
a deputy felt a gun — which was later determined to be a loaded pistol with an extended magazine containing 23 hollow-point rounds — in his waistband
The boy immediately tried to flee on foot but the deputy tackled him and took him into custody
Both the driver and another passenger also fled on foot
The driver stopped after a deputy announced he'd use a Taser on the boy
and the other boy was apprehended after a short foot chase
deputies found a loaded 7.62 caliber AK-style rifle with a 30-round magazine inside the car
They also located about 75 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
All boys were taken to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Facility near Vernon Hills
Sheriff’s deputies petitioned all three to juvenile court on the charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest
Hundreds reportedly turned out to demonstrate outside of a Tesla dealership in Libertyville in protest of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on Friday
The protest was organized by the Lake County Democrats and held late Friday afternoon into early Friday evening
The organization held the protest outside of the Tesla dealership at 1121 South Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville
Concerned about the attacks on veterans and Social Security while Trump schemes to give away more tax dollars to his billionaire donors?” an advertisement for the protest said
Lake County Democrats claimed more than 300 people came out in support of their protest
“More and more people are alarmed and outraged by Musk and Trump
or their other extreme right-wing antics,” Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash said
“Today’s demonstration sends the message loud and clear to Musk
and cowardly Republican politicians all over: what Musk and Trump are doing is not OK
and voters will not forget,” Gash said
Police stood by at the scene during the protest
The protest was the second to occur in just over a month at the Libertyville Tesla location
Lake County Democrats said more than 550 people came out in support of their February 22 protest where approximately 40 supporters of Trump and Musk attended a counter-protest
2025 at 3:31 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Incumbents Katherine "Casey" Rooney and Matthew Krummick will be challenged by newcomers Patrick Scheibler
IL — Five candidates are vying for three open seats on the Libertyville Village Board during Tuesday’s local election
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to make their picks in this year's local election
Rooney, who has been a village board trustee since 2023, said the village must monitor issues that arise that could impact the village's budget as all "municipalities in Illinois continue to face uncertainty when it comes to any funds received from the state," according to his candidate profile on the Daily Herald
"I am committed to focusing on growth that is thoughtful
involving the perspectives of both residents and businesses
while ensuring that we continue to enhance the unique character of our town," she said in her Daily Herald profile
said that the Local Government Distributive Find (LGDF)
which is a fund that distributes to municipalities monies from the state income tax
"is typically in flux," according to his candidate profile on the Daily Herald
10% of the net take that the state received through resident income tax was distributed to Illinois various municipalities
to deal with Springfield’s increased spending and budget issues
that portion has been reduced to 6.47%," he said
continuously challenges us by having to be more steadfast in how we spend our money locally."
Libertyville sophomore Lily Fisher missed a chance to watch older sister Emily play in person Thursday
“She gets to come home more than I get to go see her
It was an unfortunate conflict of Big Ten scheduling for the Fisher family
but Libertyville will be moving on to play again after a 59-35 victory over Carmel in the Class 4A Round Lake regional final
The top-seeded Wildcats (28-5) will face Rockton Hononegah on Tuesday in the Huntley sectional semifinals
Libertyville legacies were the theme Thursday as 6-foot-2 senior center Madison Sears led the Cats with 23 points
which coach Greg Pedersen thought might be a season high
Sears is the niece of former Libertyville star Tami Sears
who went on to have a nice career at Northwestern
“My brother played football at Libertyville too
Aunt Tami wasn't at this game but lives nearby
“She's definitely been an inspiration,” Sears said
Sears was 4 inches taller than anyone on the court for Carmel
so she could vacuum offensive rebounds for putback baskets and also had the midrange jumper falling
Senior guard Elinor Lindal added 13 points for Libertyville
Last year the Wildcats won their first sectional title in 30 years and are looking to repeat
they both come from family success and they both have become their own people,” Pedersen said
Lily has not backed down from freshman year on
so they never really played on the same teams
“So now I feel like I'm just making my own footsteps.”
Libertyville played stifling man-to-man defense for the first three quarters before switching to a zone in the fourth
The game was tied 6-6 in the first quarter when the Wildcats went on a 10-0 run
which had just one senior among its top seven players
was led by junior Josie Hartman with 15 points
but I feel like we still played our hearts out today,” Hartman said
but our growth throughout the season has been insane
I'm just excited for next season to get back to work.”
Office sought: Libertyville Elementary District 70 (Vote for 4)
Previous offices held: Libertyville Elementary District 70 board member since 2021
I am running to provide my four years of experience and dedication to the District 70 board and have the opportunity to oversee the continued progress our community expects
With so much uncertainty at the federal level
I have the knowledge and desire to ensure the district’s students and staff always receive the best we have to offer
The district’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching
are charged with identifying and piloting any new curriculum needed
Board members review the information given along the way while asking questions and providing feedback and/or suggestions
I trust the district’s experts to recommend a curriculum that adheres to state standards and will provide the best educational experience and outcomes for the district’s students
board members use their voice by voting to approve or deny the recommended path
The district utilizes a continued process of review and updating where needed and I do not believe there is anything specific that the board should have to immediately address
the board recently approved new English and Language Arts curriculum to align with the science of reading and is starting to see positive results
District 70’s dedicated staff are currently piloting and reviewing a potential new middle school science curriculum as well
I understand this as a balancing act at times
which is what being an elected official is about
I am there to provide a voice for all our constituents
listening and understanding where someone is coming from is extremely important before casting votes or suggesting change
the opinion of state and local authorities must be accounted for as well
Often mandates or laws will guide the direction one must take
and in those times robust communication is required
When a vote occurs on something seen as controversial
regardless of my stated and voted position
after a vote occurs I will execute the results to the best of my ability
School policy has become near and dear to my heart as I am a member of our board’s recently formed policy committee
This committee has streamlined how our board works on policy updates and has allowed us to quickly approve mandated policies while also affording a more targeted approach to those that require more discussion
My style of analyzing school policies has two large factors I consider before they are presented for approval: the legality of the content and a reflection of the community’s desires
I review policies to focus on how they can provide the best outcomes for all the students of our district
Using the entire student body to evaluate a policy leads me to a greater understanding of its contents and to better explain its purpose
I am glad this question was posed this way instead of using an acronym that has been given varied definitions
Breaking it down to individual words provides a better understanding of what I believe
I support the continuation of efforts to promote diversity and equity
It provides a better reflection of our nation and world and offers wider opportunities to learn about those around you
Equity is essentially what free public education was founded on
Providing opportunities for all children to thrive is what our system is supposed to do
It is the reason public schools provide services like Individualized Education Plans
and blended classroom settings in addition to robust educational programs
I bring with me the experience to continue the amazing work this board has accomplished during my tenure
oversaw needed updates to district buildings
approved large scale updates to building security
and have seen student proficiencies go up while demographic achievement gaps have shrunk
District 70 has been on a steady upward trend that is reflected across the many school rating sites
I am the right choice to help continue that trajectory for four more years as your representative on the board of education
Although I imagine others are talking about this
we should work with the Illinois Association of School Board’s policy department in creating more robust policies regarding Artificial Intelligence
Although it has been around for longer than most people realize
AI is now permeating every walk of life and will continue to have an effect on public education
We need to ensure we have a structure in place to address both the potential troubles and benefits of what AI can bring to the public education setting; securing information
how to analyze and spot generative content
Having a robust policy will be needed to ensure that the district's staff has initial guidance in how the district will manage these critical issues
IL — The village of Libertyville is planning its popular bike resale for later this month
The bike resale event will run from 8 to 11 a.m
Those interested in selling a bike can drop it off between 4 to 8 p.m
Only working condition bikes will be accepted and seller can set their price
Those stopping out on April 26 to buy a bike are encouraged to arrive early
2025 at 11:42 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}As of 10:15 a.m.
heavier snow began to "overspread" the Chicago area from the west and southwest
accumulating snow will expand into the Chicago metro area and will be heavy at times
IL — The snowfall is here and is expected to continue throughout the afternoon and evening across Lake County and the Chicago area
businesses and more that have announced closures for Wednesday in the Libertyville area:
For a full list of updated closures, check the Emergency Closing Center website.
heavier snow began to "overspread" the Chicago area from the west and southwest
sometimes at a rate of more than an inch per hour
and the heaviest snow is predicted to hit between 10 a.m
Lake County could get between four to six inches of total snowfall
Wind gust of between 20 to 25 mph are also in the forecast
Hazardous travel conditions are expected during the Wednesday evening commute
you may want to keep an eye on these websites for updated information on closures
Office Sought: Libertyville Elementary District 70 board (Vote for 4)
Previous offices held: District 70 board member (2021-24)
I am particularly interested in ensuring that District 70 is operating from a position of financial strength
Our success as a district is dependent on the strength of our balance sheet
we are better positioned to hire top talent
As such it is the responsibility of the school board to enact policy
an important component of setting and monitoring any of the above is stakeholder involvement
Therefore it is critical that the school board have a strong working relationship with the superintendent
in order to make informed decisions that are in the best interest of our students
should be reflective of the entirety of stakeholders
In today’s “global” world we must remain laser focused on math and science
and the gaps that exist not only between District 70 performance
but also where our performance in math/science stacks up against other nations
I believe the role of a board member is to make every attempt possible to reach decisions that all board members
In order to do so we must take in and consider opinions from all stakeholders
At times such decisions may be difficult and/or unpopular
and run contrary to the opinions of some stakeholders
As a board we must collectively stand together prepared to lead and guide our district
and to not shy away from making hard decisions
the school board must own its responsibility to govern
I’ve spent the past 4 years working directly with the District 70 policy committee in managing school policy
the school board is only as effective as the relationship it has with its stakeholders
The stronger our relationship with stakeholders
the more confidence we as a board can have in the data
resulting in our ability to make better decisions for the district
District 70 prides itself in recruiting and hiring the top educator candidates in the nation
Diversity and equity is a reflection of our staff and their commitment to all children
Assigning an acronym to diversity and equity efforts
or creating “programs” does not always solve for this
We must remain laser focused on putting the best educators
My vested interest in this district (3 active D70 students) combined with my 25-plus years expertise in global finance
running large private/public organizations
and four years experience as D70 vice president
Building a D70 center for innovation and entrepreneurship
It’s more global than ever with the evolution of the internet
We cannot wait until high school to prepare the next generation for facing these challenges
otherwise we will continue to fall behind the curve
As a district we need to be out in front of these technological advancements
creating an environment where our children can learn to think outside the box
and execute ideas that will transcend borders.